Today was a very special day. Some of the local shepherds (gujjars) had a wedding. The gujjars spend the winters in a clay hut down here in the foot hills and the summers far up in the mountains. The gujjars sometime come to Atali to get the mobile phones charged, but are otherwise very traditional - also dressed.
Everybody at Atali were invited for the wedding, so of course I knew what today's letter would be about.
Therefore, quite a few of us went to the wedding during lunch break. Of course, I got a lot of attention, but were also welcomed very hospitably and luckily, I was allowed to take lots of pictures. I've promised prints of all of them and will bring them next time, I've been to Delhi.
The gujjars are muslims, but there were no religious limitations among the guest list and many hindus from the nearby villages attended the wedding. Jeetu, who's guide at Atali, is originally from a village in Uttarkashi one day's travel by bus from here. He told me, that he knows many of these gujjars from the summers in his area. The shift from summer to winter home hence, includes days of hiking.
And here goes: lots of pictures from the wedding:
Preparation of the food. Serving the warm milk.
The groom and his (male) relatives - and one Danish girl. The groom moved closer to me, so he could sit right next to me in the picture.
The bride. In India, the tradition is that the bride must not smile on her wedding day. This is the day, she's leaving her parents and of course she should be sad. That said, I did see her smile several times - no need to worry.
Notice the boy's sunglasses. I had to take several pictures of them and him to get him satisfied.
The girls were there as well. I love the smile of the girl furthest right.
The gujjars had arrived from here and there. The wedding took place at lunch time, so everybody could reach home before darkness.
Handsome. Strong. Proud.
Again: don't be fooled by the seriousity. I received big smiles and compliments when they saw the picture on my camera.
Presents being registered. You don't have to be inventive, there's only one thing to give: money. And it is being noted exactly how much each person and family gives. Atali gave 500 rupees.
Two couples asked me to take a picture of them, so they'd have a print.
Food is being served. First warm milk, then chai and finally lunch.
Sugar and ghee (cleared butter) - I was told that it was a specially delicious dessert. I tasted. And that, I'll never have to do again. Ever.
Finally the Danish girl in an Indian kurta with a hindu girl from the neighbouring village.
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